Porphyria

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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

Although there's no way to prevent porphyria, if you have the disease, taking the following steps may help prevent symptoms:

  • Avoid medications known to trigger acute attacks. (Ask your doctor for a list of safe and unsafe drugs.)
  • Don't use alcohol or illegal drugs.
  • Avoid fasting and dieting that involves severe calorie restriction.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Minimize sun exposure.
  • When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen.
  • Treat infections and other illnesses promptly.
  • Reduce stress.

Because porphyria is an inherited disorder, your siblings and other family members may want to consider undergoing genetic testing to determine if they have the disease.

References
  1. Puy H, et al. Porphyrias. The Lancet. 2010;375:924.
  2. Learning about porphyria. National Human Genome Research Institute. http://www.genome.gov/pfv.cfm?pageID=19016728. Accessed March 22, 2011.
  3. Porphyria. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghome (NDDIC). http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/porphyria/Porphyria.pdf. Accessed March 22, 2011.
  4. Anderson KF. Porphyrias: An overview. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 22, 2011.
  5. Porphyrias. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/print/sec12/ch155/ch155a.html. Accessed March 22, 2011.
  6. Desnick RJ, et al. The porphyrias. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2883658. Accessed March 22, 2011.
  7. Singal AK, et al. Porphyria cutanea tarda and hepatoerythropoietic porphyria. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 22, 2011.
  8. Wolanskyj AP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 5, 2011.
DS00955 May 7, 2011

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